Abstract: INFO17-SA
The Kidney Technology Development Research Education Program of Virginia (VA K-TUTOR)
Session Information
- Informational Posters - 3
November 08, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Educational Research
- No subcategory defined
Authors
- Sharma, Rahul, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
- Guilford, William H, University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
- Parker, Sarah, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, Virginia, United States
- Arena, Sara, Virginia Tech College of Engineering, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Okusa, Mark D., University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
Description
Kidney diseases are leading contributor to morbidity and mortality with 1 in 7 individuals affected by chronic kidney disease. The sub-optimal growth of nephrology scientists threatens the workforce pipeline to impair innovation in kidney research and care. The Kidney Technology Development Research Education Program of Virginia (VA K-TUTOR) provides an immersive research and clinical education experience, targeted at technology-oriented undergraduate students to strengthen the pipeline of researchers to foster innovation for kidney health. The program is a partnership of the University of Virginia (UVA) Division of Nephrology, UVA School of Engineering & Applied Science, UVA College of Arts & Sciences, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and Virginia Tech School of Engineering. VA K-TUTOR is unique with a 10-week long intensive summer program consisting of didactic learning, clinical rotations, professional development and a robust research program that continues for 2 more semesters of research on kidney diseases. The trainees also serve the community by volunteering for the Kidney Disease Screening & Awareness Program at UVA. The research performed by the trainees have ranged from wet lab research on pathophysiology of renal disease, computational identification of biomarkers to human factors engineering for nephrology healthcare workers and dialysis patients. Since inception, the program has recruited a diverse cohort of 30 undergraduate students surpassing its original recruitment goal by 20%. Over 75% of participants are from schools of engineering as well as from non-research institutions of Virginia. From the 17 program trainees that have graduated from college, >65% have gone onto medical school and graduate programs, 2 joining pharmaceutical industry, 2 working as research analysts in the private sector and the remaining involved in post-baccalaureate research activities, as they await medical or graduate admissions. VA K-TUTOR successfully hosted the KUH Summer Undergraduate Symposium at UVA, Charlottesville, VA on July 31-August 2, 2024, attended by 215 participants from 24 programs. The VA K-TUTOR program has had very high satisfaction ratings from the program participants and represents a successful endeavor at strengthening the pipeline of future scientists with likely interest in nephrology.
Funding
- National Institutes of Health - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases